# Gana Bala

Bala Murugan, better known by his stage name Gana Bala is an Indian playback singer in Tamil cinema. He rose to prominence after rendering the songs 'Aadi Pona Aavani' and 'Nadukadalula Kappala' from the soundtrack of Attakathi. He has predominantly sung songs belonging to the gaana genre of Tamil Nadu. He has been credited for reviving the gaana genre in Tamil Cinema after 'Thenisai Thendral' Deva. He has also penned lyrics for some of his songs.

## Career

Bala first tripped on 'Gaana' when he was in high school. He gained confidence as a Gaana singer when he joined Presidency College, Chennai to study Botany. He later contested in the TV reality show Gana Kuyil Pattu that featured on Kalaignar TV and won it. He has worked on a number of devotional albums and also performed on stage. One of his independent albums, Vaanavil was released by composers Deva and Dhina. He made his debut in the film industry with Piragu composed by Srikanth Deva, son of the 'Father of Gaana Genre' – Deva. He first found success for his songs 'Aadi Pona Aavani' and 'Nadukadalula' in the sleeper hit Attakathi. Since then he has sung a number of successful songs under top composers like Yuvan Shankar Raja and G. V. Prakash Kumar.
He has also sung a jingle with composer G. V. Prakash Kumar to mark the 10th anniversary celebrations of Radio Mirchi Chennai.

## Other works
### Film work

Apart from singing, Bala has also featured in some of his songs. He has also appeared in a minor role as a mechanic in his debut film Piragu. He has danced for a song in 'Attakathi' Dinesh's second movie as hero, Vaaraayo Vennilaave. At the audio launch of Vikraman's Ninaithathu Yaaro, Bala expressed interest in acting and his desire to become a hero. He will soon turn hero in a film to be directed by K. Selva Bharathy titled Parry's Corner. The film is said to ponder over the fact that while migrants to Chennai hit it big, Chennai-ties still live mediocre lives. Bala will be playing a cycle rickshaw driver.

### Philanthropy

Bala is a law graduate and works as an advocate. He has contested local municipal elections twice as an independent candidate, losing only by slender margins. Bala, who identifies himself as an Ambedkarite, says,
   I am always involved in community activities. I like helping people. I would have been a politician if I had not become a singer.

## Filmography
### As playback singer
#### Films

| Year | Song(s) | Film | Composer | Co-Singer(s) | Notes |
| 2007 | "Pathinoru Peru Aattam" "Unnaipola Pennai" | Piragu | Srikanth Deva | Solo Srikanth Deva, Srilekha Parthasarathy | Credited as Anathai Bala |
| 2008 | "Phona Pottu" | Thodakkam | Jeyrom Pushparaj | | Credited as Anathai Bala |
| 2008 | "Chikku Bukku Rayilu" | Vedha | Srikanth Deva | | Credited as Anathai Bala |
| 2012 | "Aadi Pona Aavani" "Nadukadalula Kappala" | Attakathi | Santhosh Narayanan | | Also composed 'Nadukadalula Kappala' |
| 2012 | "Nenaikuthey" | Pizza | Santhosh Narayanan | | |
| 2013 | "Duet Song" "Pottiyunnu Vanthuputta" | Kanna Laddu Thinna Aasaiya | S. Thaman | Muralidhar, Rahul Nambiar, Ranjith Solo | |
| 2013 | "Thannai Thaane" | Paradesi | G. V. Prakash Kumar | | |
| 2013 | "Edhathaan Kanduttey Nee Pudhusa" | Settai | S. Thaman | | |
| 2013 | "Mannadacha Pandhu" "Oru Grammam" | Gouravam | S. Thaman | | |
| 2013 | "Ora Kannala" | Udhayam NH4 | G. V. Prakash Kumar | | |
| 2013 | "Kaasu Panam" | Soodhu Kavvum | Santhosh Narayanan | Andony Dasan | |
| 2013 | "Poosani Kaai" | Pattathu Yaanai | S. Thaman | | |
| 2013 | "Ayyo Ramare" | Pusthakamlo Konni Pageelu Missing | Gunwanth Sen | | Telugu film |
| 2013 | "Sandhegam" | Arya Surya | Srikanth Deva | | |
| 2013 | "Hey Baby" | Raja Rani | G. V. Prakash Kumar | G. V. Prakash Kumar, Aishwarya | |
| 2013 | "En Veetula" | Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara | Siddharth Vipin | | |
| 2013 | "Pa Pa" | Pizza II: Villa | Santhosh Narayanan | Rap by Vineet Mani | |
| 2013 | "Vaazhka Oru" | Naveena Saraswathi Sabatham | Prem Kumar | | |
| 2013 | "Odi Odi" | 3D Thaedi Pidi Adi | Karthik Harsha | | |
| 2013 | "Run For Your life" | Biriyani | Yuvan Shankar Raja | ft. PSYCHO.unit | |
| 2013 | "Sethu Po" | Vizha | James Vasanthan | Sunandhan, Theodore | |
| 2014 | "Nee Quarter Nan Water" | Be Right Back | Princeten Charles | | |
| 2014 | "Aaru Adi Veedu" "All Your Beauty" | Goli Soda | S. N. Arunagiri | | |
| 2014 | "Don't Worry Be Happy" | Nimirndhu Nil | G. V. Prakash Kumar | S. Selva | |
| 2014 | "Enda Mapla" | Cuckoo | Santhosh Narayanan | Sathish, Dhee | |
| 2014 | "Vaazhkai Thaan" | Marumunai | Sathya Dev | | |
| 2014 | "Bachelor Enakke" | Oru Kanniyum Moonu Kalavaanikalum | Natarajan Sankaran | Rap by Premgi Amaren | |
| 2014 | "Lovely Ladies" | Naan Sigappu Manithan | G. V. Prakash Kumar | Vijay Prakash, Megha, Aryan Dinesh, G. V. Prakash Kumar | |
| 2014 | "Oru Ponnu" | Pongadi Neengalum Unga Kadhalum | Kannan | M. A. Ramakrishnan | |
| 2014 | "Adaikalam" | Yaamirukka Bayamey | SN Prasad | El Fe Choir | |
| 2014 | "Chinnadaaga Morachiputta" | Adhu Vera Idhu Vera | Taj Noor | | |
| 2014 | "Kelunganne Kelunga" | Vadacurry | Vivek Siva Mervin Solomon | | |
| 2014 | "Kokkara Kozhi" | Saivam | G. V. Prakash Kumar | Chinnaponnu, Ashwitha, Harish, Aishwarya | |
| 2014 | "Elarai" | Aindhaam Thalaimurai Sidha Vaidhiya Sigamani | Simon | Yabama JO | |
| 2014 | "Nokia Ponnu Samsung Paiyan" | Kadhalai Thavira Verondrum Illai | Srikanth Deva | Simrutha | |
| 2014 | "Porappu Erappu" | Poriyaalan | M.S. Jones | | |
| 2014 | "Kaakidha Kappal" "Irandhidava" | Madras | Santhosh Narayanan | Sean Roldan, Tholkappiyan, Santhosh Narayanan Solo | |
| 2014 | "Athangarai Orathile" | Yaan | Harris Jayaraj | Emcee Vickey (rap) | |
| 2014 | "Johny Johny" | Vennila Veedu | Dhanraj Manickam | Dhanraj Manickam | |
| 2014 | | Royapuram-13 | Dheen Dayal | | Short film |
| 2014 | "Ayya Padichavare" | Jaihind 2 | Arjun Janya | Rajesh Krishnan | |
| 2014 | "En Karunchingamaai" | Appuchi Gramam | Vishal Chandrasekar | Vishnu Muralee | |
| 2014 | "Vaada Poda" | Murugaatrupadai | Ganesh Raghavendra | | |
| 2014 | "Doggy Style" | Naaigal Jaakirathai | Dharan Kumar | | |
| 2014 | "Kannaadithanda" | Aaaah | | | |
| 2014 | "Gumthalakka" | Gugan | Guru Kalyan | Sri Nisha | |
| 2014 | "20-20" | Cricket Scandal | Deepan | | |
| 2014 | "Venaam Mappilla" | Velmurugan Borewells | Srikanth Deva | Naveen Madhav |
| 2014 | "Enna Solla" | Saravana Poigai | D. Vijay | | |
| 2014 | "Jinji Nakka" | Nee Yen Uyire | Vijay Manthra | | |
| 2014 | "Santhayila Bajarula" | Saravanan Engira Surya | Dhanraj Manickam | | |
| 2014 | "Ponnuga Buththi" | Win | U. K. Murali | | |
| 2014 | "Kadhalikka" | Rettai Kathir | Deva Kumar | | |
| 2014 | "Thamizh Nattin" | Thiraipada Nagaram | Nithin Karthik | | |
| 2014 | "Ambaani Ponnu" | Vaaraayo Vennilaave | Karthik Raja | | |
| 2014 | "Yenda" | Ula | Saajan Madhav | Naveen Madhav, Dwayne Bravo | |
| 2014 | "Nadukadulula" | Vaaliba Raja | Radhan | Radhan | |
| 2014 | "Atta Kathi Mokka Peesu" | Mozhivathu Yathenil | Nithyan Karthik | | |
| 2014 | "Adhaaru Udhaaru" | Yennai Arindhaal... | Harris Jayaraj | Vijay Prakash | |
| 2014 | "Jallikattu Kaalai" | Manam Nilluna Nikkadhadi | R.G. Allen | | |
| 2014 | "Kastathae Yaaru Kitta" | Maalumi | Baskar | | |
| 2014 | "Friend Nambuda", "God God" | Rombha Nallavan Da Nee | Ram Surender | | |
| 2014 | | Love Pannunga Life Nallarukkum | | | |
| 2014 | "Aashe Paddadu" | Superstar Kidnap | Sai Karthik | | Telugu film |
| 2014 | "Kaal Mulacha Beer" | Mei Marandhen | K. R. Kawin | K. R. Kawin | |
| 2014 | "Devadas" | | Ravi Arziyaan (Ksmusic) | Saint and Ramnath (Malaysia) | |
| 2014 | "Vandha Malai" | Darling | G. V. Prakash Kumar | Karunas, Arun Raja Kamaraj | |
| 2014 | '"Currency Raja" | Currency Raja | Chinni Charan | | Tamil dubbed version of Vasool Raja starring Navdeep and Sri Hari |
| 2015 | "Vandha Kada" | Vai Raja Vai | Yuvan Shankar Raja | | |
| 2015 | "Sonu papadi" | Soan Papdi | Dhanraj Manickam | Sivani | |
| 2015 | "Paatha Oru Lookula" | Inimey Ippadithaan | Santhosh Kumar Dayanidhi | | |
| 2015 | "Dakalti" | Trisha Illana Nayanthara | G. V. Prakash Kumar | | |
| 2015 | "Chinna Vayasula" | Charles Shafiq Karthiga | Sidhartha Mohan | | |
| 2016 | "Ulagam Oruvanukka", "Veera Thurandhara" | Kabali | Santhosh Narayanan | | |
| 2016 | "Naan Kaaylankada" | Azhahendra Sollukku Amudha | Rajin Mahadev | | |
| 2016 | "Rotora Padhayile" | Ammani | K | | |
| 2018 | "Kaattu Vaasi" | Kilambitangayya Kilambitangayya | Sreekanth | | |
| 2018 | "Maadila Nikkura Maankutty" | Vada Chennai | Santhosh Narayanan | Dhee | |
| 2018 | "Kurukupettai" | Vaandu | A R Neshan | | |
| 2018 | "Kudure Kudure" | Aadi Purana | Vikram Vasisht, Chandana Vasisht | | Kannada film |
| 2019 | "Paathikapatta Nenjamellam" | Butler Balu | Ganesh Raghavendra | | |
| 2021 | "What A Life" | Trip | Siddhu Kumar | | |
| 2021 | "Aao Ji Aao" | Oh Manapenne | Vishal Chandrashekhar | | |
| 2022 | "Kadamaiyai Sei" | Kadamaiyai Sei | Arunraj | | |
| 2022 | "Suthura Boomi" | Varalaru Mukkiyam | Shaan Rahman | | Lyrics by Santhosh Rajan |
| 2024 | "Dangerunga Danger" | Vaagai | Sree Sai Dev | | |
* The films are listed in order that the film released, regardless of the dates the music released.

#### Television

| Year | Song(s) | Serials | Composer | Co-Singer(s) | Channels |
| 2013 | "Uruvaakum Karuvil" | Vamsam | | | Sun TV |
| 2016 | "Darling Da Da" | Darling Darling | Vishal Chandrasekhar | | Zee Tamil |

### As lyricist

| Year | Song(s) | Film | Composer |
| 2012 | "Nadukadalula Kappala" | Attakathi | Santhosh Narayanan |
| 2013 | "Love Letter" "Pottiyunnu Vanthuputta" | Kanna Laddu Thinna Aasaiya | S. Thaman |
| 2013 | "Edhathaan Kanduttey Nee Pudhusa" | Settai | S. Thaman |
| 2013 | "Ora Kannala" | Udhayam NH4 | G. V. Prakash Kumar |
| 2013 | "Kaasu Panam" | Soodhu Kavvum | Santhosh Narayanan |
| 2013 | "Sandhegam" | Arya Surya | Srikanth Deva |
| 2013 | "Hey Baby" | Raja Rani | G. V. Prakash Kumar |
| 2013 | "Vaazhka Oru" | Naveena Saraswathi Sabatham | Prem Kumar |
| 2014 | "Sokkathaan Aadu" | Kalavaram | F.S. Faisal |
| 2014 | "Aaru Adi Veedu" "All Your Beauty" | Goli Soda | S. N. Arunagiri |
| 2014 | "Don't Worry Be Happy" | Nimirndhu Nil | G. V. Prakash Kumar |
| 2014 | "Enda Mapla" | Cuckoo | Santhosh Narayanan |
| 2014 | "Vaazhkai Thaan" | Marumunai | Sathya Dev |
| 2014 | "Open the Tasmac" | Maan Karate | Anirudh Ravichander |
| 2014 | "Bachelor Enakke" | Oru Kanniyum Moonu Kalavaanikalum | Natarajan Sankaran |
| 2014 | "Avalai Nambithan" | Salim | Vijay Antony |
| 2014 | "Porappu Erappu" | Poriyaalan | M.S. Jones |
| 2014 | "Scenu Scenu" | Sigaram Thodu | D. Imman |
| 2014 | "Kaakidha Kappal" "Irandhidava" | Madras | Santhosh Narayanan |
| 2014 | "Nadukadulula" | Vaaliba Raja | Radhan |
| 2014 | "20-20" | Cricket Scandal | Deepan |
| 2014 | "Jinji Nakka" | Nee Yen Uyire | Vijay Manthra |
| 2014 | "Santhayila Bajarula" | Saravanan Engira Surya | Dhanraj Manickam |
| 2014 | "Jallikattu Kaalai" | Manam Nilluna Nikkadhadi | R.G. Allen |
| 2014 | | Velachery | Tajnoor |
| 2014 | | Kadavan | Srikanth Deva |
| 2014 | | Yevan | A.K. Sasidharan |
| 2014 | | Aaaah | |
| 2014 | | Love Pannunga Life Nallarukkum | |
| 2015 | "Vandha Kadha" | Vai Raja Vai | Yuvan Shankar Raja |
| 2015 | "Partha Oru Lookla" | Inimey Ippadithan | Santhosh Dhayanidhi |

### As actor

| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 2007 | Piragu | Mechanic | Also Appearance in the song 'Pathinoru Peru' |
| 2008 | Vedha | Himself | Special Appearance in the song 'Chikku Bukku' |
| 2013 | Udhayam NH4 | Himself | Special Appearance in the song 'Ora Kannala' |
| 2013 | Soodhu Kavvum | Himself | Special Appearance in the song 'Kaasu Panam' |
| 2013 | Raja Rani | Himself | Special Appearance in the song 'Hey Baby' |
| 2014 | Kalavaram | | Special Appearance in the song 'Sokkathaan Aadu' |
| 2014 | Nimirndhu Nil | | Special Appearance in the song 'Don't Worry Be Happy' |
| 2014 | Marumunai | | Special Appearance in the song 'Vaazhkai Thaan' |
| 2014 | Oru Kanniyum Moonu Kalavaanikalum | Himself | Special Appearance in promo song 'Bachelor Enakke' |
| 2014 | Aindhaam Thalaimurai Sidha Vaidhiya Sigamani | | Special Appearance in the song 'The Elarai' |
| 2014 | Kaadhal 2014 | | Special Appearance in the song 'Oh Jinglee' |
| 2014 | Kadhalai Thavira Verondrum Illai | Himself | Special Appearance in the song 'Nokia Ponnu Samsung Paiyan' |
| 2014 | Madras | | Special Appearance in the song 'Irandhidava' |
| 2014 | Jaihind 2 | Himself | Special Appearance in the song 'Ayya Padichavare' |
| 2014 | Aaaah | | Special Appearance in the song 'Kannaadithanda' |
| 2015 | Rombha Nallavan Da Nee | | |
| 2015 | Vaaraayo Vennilaave | | Special Appearance in the song 'Ambaani Ponnu' |
| 2015 | Mozhivathu Yathenil | | Special Appearance in the song 'Atta Kathi Mokka Peesu' |
| 2016 | Nanaiyatha Mazhaiye | | Special Appearance in the song "Manasu Sari Illai" |
| 2016 | Andaman | | Special Appearance in the song "Kaalai Maalai" |
| 2019 | Butler Balu | | Special Appearance in the song "Paathikapatta Nenjamellam" |
| 2021 | Sarpatta Parambarai | | Uncredited Role |
| 2023 | Yevan | | |
| 2024 | Vaagai | | Special appearance in song "Dangerunga Danger" |

### Television Appearance

| Year | Programme / Show | Role | Channel | Language | Notes |
| 2023 | Bigg Boss Tamil 7 | Contestant | Vijay TV | Tamil | Wildcard (Entered Day 28) Evicted Day 49 |

## Awards

Kalaimamani Honour by Tamil Nadu Government
* 2015 - Contribution to Playback singing
| Year | Film | Award Ceremony | Category | Song(s) | Result |
| 2013 | Attakathi | Vikatan Awards 2012 | Best Playback Singer (Male) | Nadukadalula Kappala Aadi Pona Aavani | Won |
| 2013 | Attakathi | 7th Annual Vijay Awards | Best Male Playback Singer Best Lyricist | Nadukadalula Kappala | Nominated |
| 2013 | Attakathi | Chennai Times Film Awards 2012 | Best Singer (Male) | Nadukadalula Kappala | Nominated |